Pickleball vs. Badminton: Here Are The Major Differences Between The Two Sports

Pickleball this, pickleball that. The pickleball boom is real and growing at lightning speed in Malaysia. Here at Courtsite, we’re seeing an uptick in pickleball bookings, new venues, or venues doubling as pickleball courts to service the demand. Why is the sport so popular?

A calculated guess: Malaysians are familiar with racquet sports, especially badminton, which pickleball is loosely based on. That said, the two sports aren’t exactly comparable despite their shared origins.

Comparing Pickleball And Badminton, What’s Different?

Making sense of the two beloved pastimes.

1. The equipment

An obvious difference between pickleball and badminton is in the arsenal of tools. Pickleball uses a paddle with a solid sturdy surface and an internal core. On the other hand, badminton racquets have strings stretched between the metal frame.

The object you hit is different as well. A shuttlecock is used in badminton. Badminton stands out among racquet sports because it doesn’t use a ball. In pickleball ball, a perforated hollow ball is played.

2. Scoring system

We touched on this in detail in a separate article about pickleball rules, but the gist is that badminton scoring can happen at any time, no matter who is serving or receiving. On the contrary, you can only score in pickleball if you’re serving.

3. Serving rules

Pickleball rules dictate that the ball must bounce once on both sides before volleying is permitted. Because shuttlecocks don’t bounce, this rule doesn’t apply to badminton and high-speed rallies can start immediately after serving.

4. Court specifications

Although the courts of both sports are similar (the reason why badminton courts can be repurposed as pickleball courts and vice versa), a badminton court is slightly narrower than a pickleball court. The net in badminton is also higher, while in pickleball, it's lower.

Badminton has different markings for singles and doubles, while pickleball has a "kitchen" zone near the net. Badminton is typically played indoors on wood or synthetic surfaces, focusing on speed and agility, whereas pickleball can be played on various surfaces, indoors or outdoors, with an emphasis on strategy and control.

5. Playing style

Badminton is fast and intense, with a focus on quick reactions, smashes, and jumping around the court. You’re constantly on the move, trying to outplay your opponent with speed and precision.

Pickleball, on the other hand, is slower and more about strategy. It’s like a mix of tennis and ping-pong, where you’re trying to place the ball smartly rather than just hitting it hard. The court is smaller, the net is lower, and you spend more time at the net, which makes it more about control and placement.

So Is Pickleball Easy For Badminton Players?

If you play badminton, you'll find it pretty easy to pick up pickleball. The quick reflexes, coordination, and footwork you already have will help a lot. The main things you'll need to get used to are the lower net, slightly different court size, and the slower pace of pickleball. But overall, you'll catch on fast!

But, just like all sports, to be great at pickleball you’ll have to invest time practicing drills and other forms of training regimes to sharpen your skills. Try out pickleball at the many venues on Courtsite now!